the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has received two requests from state attorneys general, one seeking access to records that the Committee obtained during its recent investigation into unauthorized charges on telephone…

The Senate Democrats' No. 1 priority of this Congress is to pass commonsense legislation; for example, tax cuts and infrastructure investments, all these ideas we have to put Americans back to work and revive our economy. The Republicans…

This will be the last vote of this evening. Tomorrow we will have a vote around 11 a.m. on cloture on this bill, and we will work with the managers to see how they are going to work through the germane amendments. Amendments No. 1115, as…

Following any leader remarks, the Senate will be in a period of morning business for 1 hour, with the majority controlling the first half and the Republicans controlling the final half. Following morning business, the Senate will resume…

I ask unanimous consent that order be vitiated. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection? Without objection, it is so ordered. The question is on agreeing to the amendment. The amendment (No. 1115), as modified, was agreed to. The…

By then we hope to have a unanimous consent agreement that would be universal in nature. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered. The Senator from Vermont. Amendment No. 1072

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate be in a period of debate only on the DOD authorization bill until 5 p.m. today. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.

I ask unanimous consent that the pending McConnell amendment No. 1084 and the pending Menendez amendment No. 1292 be withdrawn and it be in order for the majority leader or his designee to call up the Menendez-Kirk amendment No. 1414; that…

That is fine. We would have debate only on this matter, with Senator Leahy recognized for up to 10 minutes and Senator McCain for up to 10 minutes. Mr. McCAIN. I thank the majority leader.

there will be no more votes tonight. We hope the managers of the bill can process some amendments, but there will be no more rollcall votes tonight. I suggest the absence of a quorum. Mr. McCAIN addressed the Chair. The PRESIDING OFFICER…

I ask unanimous consent that the Republican leader be recognized to offer his statement as if during leader time, that there be no parliamentary efforts on his behalf at this time, and that when he finishes his leader statement, I have the…

I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered. ORDER OF PROCEDURE

I have a cloture motion at the desk. The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The cloture motion having been presented under rule XXII, the Chair directs the clerk to read the motion. The assistant legislative clerk read as follows: Cloture…

I trust that the Acting President pro tempore and all of our staff, everyone in this great Capitol complex, had a safe and happy holiday. I hope everyone is well rested because we have a difficult work period ahead of us. We have much to…

following leader remarks, the Senate will resume consideration of S. 1867, the Defense authorization bill. At 5 p.m., the Senate will be in executive session to consider the nomination of Christopher Droney to be a U.S. circuit judge for…

I see the two managers of the Defense bill are on the floor today. The Republican leader is going to be here in a few minutes to give a speech. I am going to give one, but it should not take long. Then we can get to the bill…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to the consideration of S. Res. 336. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the resolution by title. The bill clerk read as follows: A resolution (S. Res. 336) to permit the collection…

I ask unanimous consent that notwithstanding the upcoming recess or adjournment of the Senate, the President of the Senate, the President pro tempore, and the majority and minority leaders be authorized to make appointments to commissions…

if there is no further business to come before the Senate, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate stand adjourned under the previous order. There being no objection, the Senate, at 3:54 p.m., adjourned until Tuesday, November 22, 2011, at…

I ask unanimous consent that when the Senate completes its business today, it adjourn until 11 a.m., on Tuesday, November 22, 2011, for a pro forma session only, with no business conducted; that following the pro forma session, the Senate…

I ask unanimous consent that at a time to be determined by the majority leader, after consultation with the Republican leader, but not prior to December 5, 2011, the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following…

I ask unanimous consent that from Friday, November 18, through Monday, November 28, the majority leader be authorized to sign duly enrolled bills or joint resolutions. The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered…

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table, there be no intervening action or debate, and any statements relating to this matter be printed in the Record. The PRESIDING…

I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, the preamble be agreed to, the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table, there be no intervening action or debate, and any related statements be printed in the Record. The…

I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to executive session to consider the following nominations: Calendar Nos. 436, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449, 451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 457, 466, 467, 468, 469, 470, 471, and 498; that the…